PHEW - what a scorcher! With temperatures soaring and pavements hot enough to fry an egg, the Beach Hutters' Appreciation Society brought their shack to the city to provide some welcome shade.

Normally a traditional feature of British shorelines, the hut went up next to the Council House where revellers enjoyed knobbly knees competitions, juggling and paddling in the fountain.

Hutter James Mitchell, dressed in a Victorian swimsuit complete with bowler hat and moustache, said: "Because so many people can't get to the beach we thought we'd bring the beach to them.

"Beach huts are wonderful and we think more people should appreciate them.

"Everyone's been very happy to see us today. We've even had a little paddle in the fountain and a few knobbly knees contests."

On-looker teacher Lydia Jordan, aged 36, from Kings Heath, said: "We might not have the beach but we've got the Floozy in the Jacuzzi. It's lovely to sit here for a few minutes because it's beautiful. I'm well proud of my city."

Trainee social worker Ben Guerra, aged 32, was also kept entertained while taking a break in the sunshine.

He said: "In the summer people are happier, smiling and being nice to each other so I love it."

Across the Midlands sales of ice creams have rocketed and manufacturers are delighted. Cindy Brittain, managing director of the Henley Ice Cream parlour, which started making ice cream at the shop in Henley High Street in 1937, said: "It's been manic."

Today the ice cream is made at two farms in Worcester and Stafford from Friesian and Jersey cows' milk.

Elsewhere, the animals at Dudley Zoo are also enjoying specially-made ice lollies flavoured with fish and fruit.

And South American penguins at the zoo are being kept cool with water pumped up from caverns 200ft down.

Curator Matthew Lewis said: "A lot of the animals are like us during the hot weather and are quieter than normal. We've been serving up iced drinks to the lemurs and chimps and the bears love eating blocks of ice with fish in."